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Veteran CBS journalist Lesley Stahl has publicly expressed her frustration with Shari Redstone, chairwoman of Paramount Global, regarding the handling of Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the network. Stahl shared her feelings during an interview on The New Yorker Radio Hour podcast, reflecting on the broader implications of this legal battle for CBS and its flagship program, ’60 Minutes.’
The Lawsuit’s Impact on Journalism
In her conversation, Stahl described the current situation surrounding the Trump lawsuit as troubling. The ongoing legal dispute follows Trump’s claims against CBS and Paramount, originally filed last fall. Trump’s accusations hinge on allegations of deceitful editing in a ’60 Minutes’ interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, which he and his team argue was intentionally manipulated to sway public opinion.
Stahl acknowledged that the pressure on CBS has been challenging, particularly after the abrupt resignation of Wendy McMahon, the president of CBS News. Stahl believes that Redstone’s corporate influence has compromised journalistic integrity, stating, “To have a news organization come under corporate pressure, it steps on the First Amendment and the freedom of the press.” She raised concerns about whether corporations should control news organizations at all.
Repercussions in the Editorial Room
Stahl revealed it has been a difficult period for the CBS newsroom. Following producer Bill Owens’ resignation, a move she described as
